Pain is a somatic and emotional sensation which is unpleasant in nature and associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Physiologically, the function of pain is critical for survival and has a major evolutionary advantage. This is because behaviours which cause pain are often dangerous and harmful, therefore they are generally not reinforced and are unlikely to be repeated. The classification of pain is complicated and there are many different types of pain, each arsing through unique mechanisms. Types of pain include: sharp pain, prickling pain, thermal pain, aching pain. In addition, the origin of pain can be somatic, visceral, thalamic, neuropathic, psychosomatic, referred or illusionary. Pain can also be acute or chronic in nature. This article will provide a general overview of a ‘classic’ picture of pain i.e. the pain we feel when we stub our toe or touch something sharp. It will focus on how the pain pathway is initiated and processed within the spinal cord.

Intended for elementary and secondary school students and teachers who are interested in learning about the nervous system and brain with hands on activities, experiments and information.